Saturday, December 03, 2005
1 John 3
John again reminds his readers that if they claim to be believers then they must not continue to sin. This is referring to persisting in a particular sin, as opposed to never sinning again in their life. It is important for Christians to turn from their sin immediately when it is bought to their attention, however many of us often persist and don't repent when we should. We must learn to repent immediately!
There are also some strong words directed towards though who do not love their brothers. If we hate our brothers then we are murderers and no murderer has eternal life in him. The only hate in the life of a Christian should be the hatred of sin and injustice. We should never hate people, especially fellow believers. It's so sad when we see churches split and fall apart through hatred. This should not be so.
It's not always easy to love but if we are willing and chose to show his love, then God can give us his grace to help us.
There are also some strong words directed towards though who do not love their brothers. If we hate our brothers then we are murderers and no murderer has eternal life in him. The only hate in the life of a Christian should be the hatred of sin and injustice. We should never hate people, especially fellow believers. It's so sad when we see churches split and fall apart through hatred. This should not be so.
It's not always easy to love but if we are willing and chose to show his love, then God can give us his grace to help us.
Friday, December 02, 2005
1 John 2
As with the first chapter in his letter John is very black and white in his comments. If you know God you will obey him, if you do not obey him you do not know him! Are you claiming to be a believer - then walk as Jesus did. Tough and challenging words!
So how do we respond to this? Well we can give up or we can cry out to God for mercy and ask him to give us the grace and desire to change and be more Christ like. Living the Christian faith out day to day is not easy, it's challenging. Loving those who annoy us is difficult.
John encourages us to continue in him so that when Christ appears we may be confident and unashamed. Let's make this our goal each day.
So how do we respond to this? Well we can give up or we can cry out to God for mercy and ask him to give us the grace and desire to change and be more Christ like. Living the Christian faith out day to day is not easy, it's challenging. Loving those who annoy us is difficult.
John encourages us to continue in him so that when Christ appears we may be confident and unashamed. Let's make this our goal each day.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
2 Peter 3
Peter concludes his letter by telling his audience that he had written both of his letters "as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking."
He then goes on to talk about the coming of the Lord. And that this day will come. He emphasises that God is patient "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Later on in this chapter he reminds them to "bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation."
In preparation for the coming of the Lord he instructs the people that "they ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of the Lord and speed its coming." Even though standards may be dropping in the world Christian believers need to live out their faith and shine for him.
Furthermore, believers are encouraged to "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." We need to persevere and with God's grace endeavour to change to become more like him. If we are at peace with God, many of the things that bother us will not seem important anymore. We can get our priorities right by focusing on God and know his closeness to us. That does not mean all our problems will disappear but we can trust him for the grace to help us in them.
In the final verse of the chapter there is the encouragement to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
He then goes on to talk about the coming of the Lord. And that this day will come. He emphasises that God is patient "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Later on in this chapter he reminds them to "bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation."
In preparation for the coming of the Lord he instructs the people that "they ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of the Lord and speed its coming." Even though standards may be dropping in the world Christian believers need to live out their faith and shine for him.
Furthermore, believers are encouraged to "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." We need to persevere and with God's grace endeavour to change to become more like him. If we are at peace with God, many of the things that bother us will not seem important anymore. We can get our priorities right by focusing on God and know his closeness to us. That does not mean all our problems will disappear but we can trust him for the grace to help us in them.
In the final verse of the chapter there is the encouragement to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Monday, November 28, 2005
2 Peter 1
Have you ever wished that your Christian life was more effective and productive? Well in the first part of this chapter Peter lists some qualities that we need to possess to achieve this. In fact he says that if we possess these in increasing measure it will keep our life from being ineffective and unproductive. The qualities, which we need to add to our faith are:
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly kindness
- Love
With God's help we need to aim to see these qualities in our life so we can be more effective and productive for Christ. And then we will receive a rich welcome into his kingdom.
